TAMPA -- Pat Maroon knows what it’s like ti hoist the cup. 

"When you win one, you want another one,” Maroon said. “As I’m getting older and more of a veteran guy in the the league, you want to chase the Stanley Cups and you want to get as many as you can.

"It’s a different mentality for everyone, I think everyone can play throughout the year, I call it an 82-game trial for everyone. When you get into the real stuff that’s when your game should elevate. You should be ready and be prepared.” 

Maroon was ready when his moment came in Game 7 of the Western Conference Final. Scoring the game-winning goal for St. Louis, sending his team to the Stanley Cup Final. 

"That goal will go down in history for myself and for the organization,” Maroon said. "Looking back on it still gives me goosebumps.”

But now he’s ready to be the difference the Lightning need. 

"Now it’s just another journey for me to be a part of a Tampa Bay organization that’s been really good the last few years and has a chance to go to the finals, been to the conference finals, a team that’s desperate to win the Stanley Cup,” he said. “Hopefully I can bring a veteran presence they’ve been missing or so and hopefully bring one back to Tampa again.” 

He also brings grit. 

"I bring a big body, obviously on the ice, I can bring a presence with the big body, create space for my line mates, and do a little dirty work they’re probably not used to seeing.” 

Maroon is intimidating on the ice, but in the locker room, you see a different side. 

"I just try to keep the guys loose, you know crack jokes once in a while, this game’s fun, this is a game we do for a living, but you gotta make some light of it too, you gotta enjoy the game, and the game will enjoy you back,” Maroon said. 

He knows what it takes to win the ultimate prize in hockey.

Maroon did it in his hometown of St. Louis and he’s ready to do it again in Tampa Bay.